Turnout up, but no applause yet
Congratulations, Montana.
You took a step in the right direction Tuesday when you decided to take part in your own future.
Indeed, more Montanans voted than in any non-presidential primary since 1994. That's the good news.
The bad news is that it was still only 34 percent of registered voters, compared to 47 percent back in 1994.
So even though we've improved from the 29 percent turnout four years ago, we still have a long way to go.
Why does it matter?
Because the fewer people who vote, the less chance there is that our representatives in Washington (or elsewhere) will accurately reflect the viewpoints of most Montanans.
If you need an explanation for the disconnect between politicians and the voters, you don't have to look any further. The lower the turnout, the more power that special interests wield in the electorate, and the more attention politicians will pay to those special interests.
Don't think Sen. So-and-so votes the way you want him to on crucial issues? Well, why should he when he knows that you aren't going to vote at all?
The Whitefish City Council took a step in the right direction by giving initial approval to a lighting ordinance that will help protect the resort town's night sky.
Council members were wise to acknowledge that the new law is still a work in progress and needs some fine-tuning before a final vote is taken later this month. The council took the same approach with Whitefish's controversial sign ordinance several years ago, moving forward but addressing issues as they arise.
As businesses and homeowners work to comply with the new restrictions within the 3-year time limit, there are bound to be unforeseen circumstances the council will need to address, whether it's hardship over the added cost or public-safety issues.
We need to remember that night lights are there for a reason - to protect citizens. If Whitefish officials can accomplish that goal and still dim the pink glow overhead, more power to them.
The sale of North Valley Hospital's 15-acre campus in Whitefish for $6.4 million - about $426,666 an acre - was a crucial shot in the arm for the hospital's new facility a mile down the road in south Whitefish.
North Valley is in the final stages of constructing a $30 million hospital on 45 acres near the intersection of U.S. 93 and Montana 40.
Hospital officials had expected $2 million from the sale of the current campus, and with fundraising for the new hospital still under way, the extra $4.4 million will certainly be put to good use.